A Legacy of the Game: An Evening in Support of Bison Golf, presented by the Johnston Group
On Monday, April 20th, 2026, the University of Manitoba Bison Golf Program, in partnership with the Johnston Group, hosts an evening of unparalleled storytelling and professional insight at the St. Charles Country Club. This event brings together three distinct voices to explore the evolution of golf, from its most historic matches to the modern-day PGA Tour.
The Program
Experience a defining moment in Manitoba golf history. Join Hall of Fame Honoured Member Mr. Steve Bannatyne for a moderated look at the legendary match between George Knudson and Roberto De Vicenzo. As Knudson’s former caddie, Steve offers a rare insider’s view of the players and the electric atmosphere of that historic day.
What does it take to compete on the world stage today? Mr. Derek Ingram, Head Coach, Team Canada – Men, will discuss the standard of dedication required to succeed as a tour-caliber golfer. As a coach to PGA Tour standouts Corey Conners and Taylor Pendrith, as well as Manitoba’s own Aaron Cockerill, Derek offers a firsthand look at the modern professional game.
Award-winning author Mr. Joshua Evenson (Links to St. Andrews—Loveletters to the Home of Golf) joins the program to share his experiences working with the Keiser family and the Dream Golf team. Mr. Evenson will recount his journey through the world of “destination golf” and his work on some of the game’s most iconic projects.
Hospitality & Prizes
The evening features several exceptional opportunities for attendees:
- Grand Door Prize: A four-person, three-round golf package at the highly anticipated Rodeo Dunes project in Denver, Colorado ($4,000 USD value), gifted by Dream Golf.
- Featured Raffle: A limited-edition copy of Mr. Evenson’s Links to St. Andrews.
- Refreshments: Hors d’oeuvres will be served along with a cash bar.
- Attire: Dress for the event is smart casual.
- Event Schedule: Doors open at 6:30 PM with the program running from 7-9:30 PM.
Registration & Support
Tickets are available for $300 plus fees and includes a $215 tax credit.
If you are interested in supporting the program but are unable to attend, donations can be made directly to the University of Manitoba. Please direct your gift to the Golf Program Excellence Fund.
Contact
For more information, please contact Ken Mould by email or by phone at 204.881.5157.
Foundation Pledges $3 Million to Junior Golf
WINNIPEG – (Golf Manitoba) Golf Manitoba is proud to announce that the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation has donated $60,000 to Golf Manitoba to support junior golf programming and the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame. Working cooperatively with the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation, Golf Manitoba will apply the donation to benefit grassroots and high-performance junior golf programs, the University of Manitoba Bison Golf female and male programs and the annual induction ceremony conducted by the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame and Museum.
In 2018, the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation was established with a mandate to support junior golf in the province of Manitoba. The Foundation will eventually commit a total of $3 million dollars to an endowment that will aid in supporting the development of new generations of golfers through grassroots golf initiatives and high-performance programming.
“We are extremely excited about the impact the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation will have in supporting and growing the sport of golf in the province,” said Vince Mariani, President of Golf Manitoba. “As far as we know, this type of personal commitment to golf, and amateur sport for that matter, is unprecedented in Manitoba.”
“For 2019, the donation will have an immediate impact on our regional Golf in Schools program, a key grassroots program that delivers basic golf skills instruction through the school system,” said Jared Ladobruk, Executive Director of Golf Manitoba. “More funding means we can expand our capacity and visit more schools thereby introducing more young people to golf. The increased funding gives us the ability to train and certify early years educators who will then be able to deliver basic golf skills instruction as part of physical education programing. By training and certifying educators, we expand our Golf in Schools capacity and can now introduce more young girls and boys to the sport of golf with physical literacy in mind. Linking golf to physical literacy I believe is an opportunistic area for the future of the sport and hopefully this serves to grow the game even further.”
“Another key area of golf benefiting from the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation donation is Golf Manitoba’s interprovincial junior golf teams,” added Ladobruk. “This new funding will offset the costs of travel and equipment for the girls and boys who have earned the right to represent Manitoba in national competitions conducted by Golf Canada. This generous funding will reduce the financial barriers that come with participation in national competitions and will mean that Golf Manitoba’s best young golfers will not be denied the opportunity to compete against the nation’s best due to financial constraints.”
The University of Manitoba Bison Golf Program will also benefit from the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation donation. Funding will be allocated to support both the men’s and women’s programs. The Bison Golf Program is celebrating its 20th year in 2019 and the program is entirely self-funded through sponsorships and donations.
Golf Manitoba will now also fund external junior golf charitable programs through the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation donation. Existing junior golf programs will be able to apply for funding which will be evaluated by Golf Manitoba to determine eligibility with further announcements to follow.
Additionally, proceeds from the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation donation will provide support to the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame which recognizes and celebrates those who have made extraordinary contributions in the Manitoba golf community as well as nationally and internationally. A goal of the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame is to make known the achievements of its Honoured Members and Teams to serve as inspiration to future generations which is consistent with the goals of the Alex and Peggy Colonello Foundation to support junior golf. The 2019 induction ceremony is scheduled to take place in late September.
The donation from the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation was facilitated through the Golf Canada Foundation and its partnership with Golf Manitoba. Golf Canada Foundation is a Registered Canadian Athletic Amateur Association (RCAAA), and as such is recognized by the Canadian Revenue Agency as a qualified donee. Gifts received by Golf Canada Foundation qualify for an official donation receipt.
About Alex & Peggy Colonello: Peggy Colonello served as president of the Manitoba Ladies’ Golf Association in 1974 – 76 and was an active participant at her home course, the Elmhurst Golf & Country Club, where she and husband Alex had been members since the 1940s.
Peggy also served a two-year term as president of the Canadian Ladies’ Golf Association from 1982-83. During her time on the national executive, Peggy attended World and Commonwealth championships in Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Columbia, Britain and Switzerland, including the various Canadian events in which she participated. Peggy was inducted into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame in 1994 and was an inaugural inductee into the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame on September 29, 2003.
Alex Colonello first moved to Winnipeg in 1941 where, in 1949, Bay Bronze Company asked him to start a machinery division for them. Alex eventually bought control of the company in 1973 becoming President until his retirement in 1996. In 1998, Alex purchased the golf accessory line from Bayco Industries to form Bayco Golf Inc. Alex Colonello passed away in 2013 at the age of 93.
About Golf Manitoba: Golf Manitoba is the governing body for golf in the province of Manitoba and North West Ontario. Its mission is to develop, promote, govern and service the sport of golf in Manitoba and North West Ontario for the benefit of all participants.
Recognized by Sport Manitoba as the Provincial Sport Organization for golf in the province, Golf Manitoba is responsible for promoting participation in and a passion for the sport of golf in Manitoba and North West Ontario. Golf Manitoba is also involved in national golf events through its affiliation with Golf Canada.
About the Golf Canada Foundation: The Golf Canada Foundation is the leading source for Golf Philanthropy in Canada, awarding more than $7.76 million in grants and scholarships since inception in 1979. Golf Canada Foundation’s mission is to inspire young players to build strong core values and character while living a healthy lifestyle. Golf Canada Foundation is a Registered Canadian Athletic Amateur Association (RCAAA), and as such is recognized by the Canada Revenue Agency as a qualified donee. A qualified donee is an organization that can receive gifts and issue official donation receipts for those gifts.
For more information:
Jared Ladobruk
Executive Director
Golf Manitoba
204.925.5729
jared@golfmb.ca